My chosen artist is Frida Kahlo.  Of course it’s Frida Kahlo, I love her artwork and everything from Mexico.  Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderon was a Mexican painter born on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico and died on July 13, 1954 at the age of 47.   She is known for her self portraits, pain, passion and bold and vibrant colors.  She is celebrated in Mexico for her attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and by feminists for her depiction of the female experience and form. Out of her 143 paintings about 55 are self portraits.

Frida’s  paintings often feature root imagery, with the roots growing out of her body to tie her to the ground.  This reflects in a positive sense the theme of personal growth; in a negative sense of being trapped in a particular place, time no situation; and in an ambiguous sense of how memories of the past influence the present for good and/or ill. I used Fridas “Self portrait, dedicated to Dr. Eloesser – 1940” as inspiration for my Steam Punk Frida composition.

Materials:  Hand dyed cotton bed linen, commercial fabric, photo transfer, raw edge appliqué, 3D raw edge organza flower and dress top, gears connected by copper wire, thread painting, free motion quilted leaf shapes, acrylic paints,  inktense pencils, sharpie, ribbon, lace trim, rat tails cording to look like copper wiring representing roots, machine embroidery on earring and writing transfer pages from her journal.

Detail views:

Self Portrait, Dedicated to Dr Eloesser – 1940